Before coronavirus, Fiserv Forum was among world’s top-grossing venues

Elton John, Blake Shelton, Michael Bublé and Roger Waters are just a few of the A-list acts who canceled concerts at the Milwaukee Bucks’ Fiserv Forum arena in 2020.

General Manager Raj Saha was aiming to book at least 35 concerts and comedy shows, topping a blockbuster 2019 that included the most arena concerts in one year in the city’s history.

The coronavirus pandemic crushed those plans, and the global live music industry. But the sudden industry shutdown March 12, Fiserv Forum was one of the world’s top-selling arenas for concert tickets, according to a midyear business report from concert trade publication Pollstar.

It’s not the only Wisconsin venue or promoter that was doing strong business before the bust.

Fiserv Forum was 48th in the world for ticket sales from Nov. 21, 2019, to May 20, 2020. Among U.S. arenas, it ranks 27th, besting major arenas like the United Center in Chicago and Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Fiserv Forum sold at least 106,883 tickets, grossing nearly $3.4 million.

Pollstar’s lists are based on data provided by promoters, but not every concert is accounted for.

Fiserv Forum’s last event was the Lumineers’ tour stop on March 11. For now, only three events remain scheduled for the rest of 2020, beginning with an Alan Jackson concert Sept. 12. Nine other concerts that had already been announced for 2020 were either canceled or postponed.

The Resch Center in Green Bay also made Pollstar’s top 200 arenas list, placing 173rd, with 20,039 tickets sold and a little over $992,000 grossed.

A few FPC Live venues in Madison made Pollstar’s Top 200 clubs list. The Sylvee ranked 31st, the Majestic Theatre 91st and the High Noon Saloon 180th.

Pollstar’s top-selling theaters list includes the Grand Theater in Wausau (No. 108) and Pabst Theater Group’s Riverside Theater, which grossed $1.2 million from 17,432 tickets, landing at No. 124 for tickets sold.